Owning an Alembic for the first time is like learning to play a whole new instrument. I have been playing guitar for almost 25 years, since I was 13, and over that time I have played a lot of great guitars. I have owned great guitars of each of the major brands, but very little of what I have done could prepare me for 24 frets and the ease of use of seemingly an entire new half of the fretboard.

Scales, licks, and tricks I have learned on the "bottom half" are now fully possible on those upper frets. When I first got the guitar, two weeks ago, I did not realize how much work I had ahead of me just to do this guitar justice. Now, I feel comfortable with my new toys, but I know in a month, six months, a year from now, I will look back and be a completely different guitar player.

Than you Alembic for making such a great instrument. You have opened my eyes and reinvigorated for me the thing I love to do best, and that is make music.

Uh Huh.....Yep....etc. It sounds as though you've worked out the buzz issue....It sounds great eh? Plays even better than it looks...I know exactly what your talking about. I own a few of "the world's best" guitars myself....nothing in my experience even comes close to my first Alembic. Now the real work (if this is work...bring it on!!!) begins....

Oh yes, the buzz is gone. There is still a little bit, and I mean little little bit with he open G string, but I am not going to sweat that since I figure I will have to have it readjusted when the real humidity gets here in another six weeks or so. I just can't take credit for my playing any more. Seriously, this guitar is easily half the equation, and perhaps more. The best thing is that each day is a whole new experience. I don't mean to sound too giddy hear, but dayum, this is one great guitar. The tones it gets, particularly on the high e string about 8-12 frets, I have never heard anything like that--well, actually I have, and that guitar player has been my biggest inspiration for the past 20 or so years.

What I like about you guys -if I may interrupt your higher pitched conference- is that you are as enthousiastic about the guitar than we are about the basses. I play 'some' guitar but it's merely rhythm and chord work "I don't want to make it cry or sing ...." (lol). Anyway, in this club we here a lot people yapping around (me in the first row) about basses and recognize in each other the maybe childish enthousiasm for our instruments with some frustration about other we got. Sounds guitarplayes think about the same. Although I must say If Alembic basses are "rare" guitars are that even more!

Hi Paul, I think of it as the other side of the same coin. After many years of searching for a sound, to finally find it is almost beyond description! We all share in that experience.....Alembic bass...... Alembic guitar..... all indescribably fantastic!

Furthur to those thoughts-let me quote Steve Miller. About 12 years ago Steve got his first Alembic guitar a Spectrum Baritone in Coco Bolo with red LEDs. Upon playing this instrument for the first time he remarked, " I always knew Alembic made the best basses, don't know why I didn't realize you make equally great guitars!"

Brother Keavin, without wanting to be offensive but IMO a "Burgerking" and a "Pizza" joint doesn't do really justice to the output and construction of these instruments. Although it HAS to do with a parallel with cooking.

Alembic is DEFINITELY not like Burger King ... mass produced corporate cuisine of the proletariat appealing to the lowest common denominator. While one can "have it your [one's] way" with Alembic, it only serves to describe the company that it is - focused on providing the highest quality instruments, built to order if desired, using the best materials and finest craftsmanship/workmanship possible.

And yes, it has a parallel with cooking. It's the creative process involved in any fine craft. When I retire from the service, I'm going to become a chef, and if I've learned anything about fine cooking, it's that it's a craft, much like how Alembic views instruments. It's all about the creative process, from the inlays, to the design of the logo, to selection of wood. This, in my opinion, is what sets Alembic apart from the ordinary, mass produced stuff - they're superlatively talented craftsmen, and it shows. Kind of like the difference between an old Rolls Royce and an American made car (and no, I'm not picking on anybody's favorite ride here!). The Rolls is hand made, expensive, but the quality is second to none. The American car gets you to where you need to be, but, it doesn't inspire passion. That's how I think about Alembics - they inspire the passion to play (to me). The ordinary Fenders, Gibsons, etc., don't always do that, not for me at least.